Prayers for God's People: Thanksgiving

Prayers for God’s People

What do you say to a people you’ve come to love over a few short months as you prepare for the arrival of a new leader? I wrestled with this. There is so much to share and so much to do.

the heart of Paul in his letter to the Philippian Church and my heart for you share the common theme of gratitude. Thankfulness make the world a better place.

I went back to my prayers last Monday morning and was struck that my prayer grid that I’ve used for many years was far more about seeking the hand of God than seeking his face. I changed that and added a new line to my weekly prayer structure.

God

Attributes

hesed

Truth

Reign

Names

Holiness

Plan

New series: prayer for God’s people.

Is prayer difficult for you? Is it something that you struggle with?

guilt? insecure? uncertainty?

No worries, we’re here to learn and to do this well.

Prayer is simply talking to God, and we learn to talk as we connect relationally.

IL: First Date vs First morning as married

1. Keep your relationships in mind

Philippians 1:1–2 NIV

1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons: 2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

(Paul and Timothy) = servants

to all God’s holy people at Philippi. (Oh, and their leaders too)

Grace and Peace

2. Remember the past with gratitude

Philippians 1:3–8 NIV

3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. 7 It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. 8 God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.

Note the element of consistent, continual prayer

why is he filled with joy? Gratitude on remembering your partnership in the Gospel

A Pastor’s love

partnership

God is at work in their lives

they shared in Paul’s struggles to share the Gospel

3. Focus your prayers on Character

Philippians 1:9–11 NIV

9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.

Prayer Tips:

go beyond the B&B prayers

go beyond health prayers

Pray for things that will last for eternity

Paul’s Prayer...

Love - they already are a loving people, but Paul prays for more of the same.

Philippians 1:9 NIV

9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight,

it’s OK to see what’s there, affirm it, and ask for more of the same.

IL: If your spiritual gift is teaching, its ok to ask for more opportunities to teach. If giving, to find more ways to give. etc.

Discernment - what is best

Philippians 1:10 NIV

10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,

discern = test

2 Corinthians 13:5 NIV

Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?

testing is an experiential exercise. It involves multiple attempts at evaluating what is good, better, and best.

Testing:

failure only indicates that we are trying hard. If we’re not failing, it means that we’re not trying hard enough.

Testing to approve what is best. There is a large distance between good and best. Is it possible to spend your life doing good things and never spend anything on that which is best?

Fruitfulness

Philippians 1:11 NIV

11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.

more fruit and better fruit

Galatians 5:22–23 NIV

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.